What does your Uniform Program say about your brand?By Dan Mendelson

How do you determine the look that is right for you?

How do you assure the successful implementation of your uniform program?

What questions should you ask your uniform provider/partner?

Quality Uniform & Equipment Solutions

President, Unitex Direct

Guaranteed!

Uniforms are, in essence, the unspoken language of an organization. The right look can bolster both employee andconsumer confidence while a poor selection can leave anegative impression in the public’s mind.

How do you determine the look that is right for you? How do you assure the successful implementation of your uniform program? What questions should you ask youruniform provider/partner?

Market Size and Characteristics

Before we get into specifics, let's take a look at the current market segment. Currently,an estimated 2.1 million individuals are employed full time as security workers. The$350 billion security industry market breaks out to $282 billion in private sector spendingand $69 billion in federal government spending on homeland security, according to a2012 study conducted by ASIS International.

Today’s security professionals must guard property, protect people, secure technology,assist when natural disasters strike, and be vigilant in the wake of never ending terrorthreats. An increased need for security may help explain why, according to the Bureau ofLabor, this profession is expected to add 364,500 new jobs during the period from 2015to 2020, a growth rate of 11.0 percent.

Demand for guards also will grow as security firms increasingly perform duties—such asproviding security at public events and in residential neighborhoods—that were formerlyhandled by police officers.

The new and broadened challenges facing security personnel have also sparked demandsfrom the businesses that employ them—Fortune 500 companies, high rise buildings,stadiums, malls and airports across America. Simply put, today’s security clientsaspire to a higher standard, demanding more alert, more professional and better trainedsecurity personnel.

They are also increasingly seeking a better attired security professional, a requirementthat can be met through a comprehensive and well-planned uniform program. As industryexecutives know, uniforms are essential to security and law enforcement work, for they arehow the public identifies who can help them when in need. That is because uniforms are the ultimate communicator of an organization’s branding—and create a solid impression even before the employee has spoken.

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Is it a Uniform?

Any discussion of a uniform program must first begin with what constitutes a uniform.Uniforms are not off-the-rack garments found at department stores and ready-to-wearretailers. They are garments specifically constructed with the work environment in mind.

The distinction is important. A uniform provider who earns loyal customers and business is one that appreciatesthe tasks a given worker will perform wearing a particular garment and recommends the right product to fit the environment. That includes everything from style anddecoration of the garment, to wearability and fabriclongevity considerations.

A uniform buyer should listen for this type of advice andjudge their uniform company accordingly.

It is equally important to note that uniforms, like ready-wear,are not one-size fits all products. For example, a non-branded, oxford button-down shirt at Walmart is vastly dif-ferent from a Ralph Lauren-labeled shirt. The appearanceis similar, but the fabrication and durability isn't.

The same is true in the uniform industry. At a Class A building a security officer canwear a 100 percent polyester suit, a 55/45 percent poly/wool blend, or even an outfitmade of 100 percent wool. Clearly, the more wool in a suit the more expensive, the better thefit, finish and style and the longer wearing; nonetheless, options exist at various pricepoints. In the security field where image is critical, a strong, practical and cohesive lookcan only be achieved through a uniform program. An adept uniform provider will be ableto find the products that best fit your needs and budget.

Weighing the Cost: An important, not sole, consideration

A frank and upfront discussion regarding cost is a must when determining your uniformneeds. How and when are program costs determined? Your uniform company should interview the operations and upper level staff at a contract security firm to understandwhat works for the company and what doesn’t. A soft look program will typically costmore than a hard look one, but cost is really a function of the nature of the work that thecustomer needs done. The suit look, for example, isn’t valuable if you are patrolling anautomobile storage facility on 3rd shift.

As noted above, good uniform programs can be delivered at all price points, but costalone should not drive your purchasing decisions. In our experience, there are other

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components to the equation. A guard company needs to evaluate a uniform providerbased on the sum of quality, service, product performance, price and communications.The equation may be compared to how a client selects a guard company for security.They are looking for guards, not uniforms. Similarly, guard companies should look for auniform company that is consistent, reliable and maintains product expertise—not justprovides low cost goods.

The costs of a uniform program should also be determined based on the needs and environment in which the uniforms are to be worn.

At Unitex Direct, we work with countless security firms throughout the country. While ona recent site visit to one guard company, we reviewed some apparel products they hadpicked from a catalog without really having an understanding of the wear and tear thatthe employees would have on their uniforms and the cost they would incur to replacethem. For a modest program cost increase we recommended items that are commonlyused by the FBI and SWAT teams around the nation. More importantly, the new garmentswould give them greater functionality, comfort and durability over their current selections.In the end their annual uniform costs will go down, even though they are paying more forproducts because they simply will outlast conventional BDU’s (Battle Dress Uniforms) andinexpensive polo shirts.

It is impossible to overstate the importance of selecting an experienced, knowledgeable uniform company whenweighing your purchasing decisions.

Believe it or not, some guard companies try and manage their uniform program by buying their shirts at the cheapest possible source, then paying a third party to sew onemblems. This involves additional shipping costs, more staff hours and the inevitablemistakes or delays that occur with dealing with multiple vendors. If your provider can’tsew on emblems for you, they are not in the uniform business.

So, the uniform company’s ability to determine your specific needs, a guard company’sability to assess a uniform provider’s strengths and the teamwork between both organi-zations to select appropriate products are some of the factors that should be consideredwhen evaluating the cost of a uniform program. Each should be carefully weighed; if not, your program will suffer somewhere along the way.

The Soft vs. Hard Look: Which is best?

What’s the best look for your business? The answer is as diverse as today’s overall security challenges. No two clients have the same security or uniform needs. Uniform re-quirements are directly related to the type of work being performed. For example, theneeds of an employee monitoring the activity in an oil refinery are vastly different from

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one performing concierge-like services at a 5-star hotel or office complex. Generally speaking, however, there are two approaches: a “soft” look that consists of a suit or blazer worn with slacks; and a “hard” appearance, more reminiscent of an official lawenforcement uniform. A typical example of aguard outfitted in a hard look might also includea shirt with sewn creases for neatness affixedwith epaulets at the shoulder. Overall, the hardstyle is more functional for doing work if you areon a beat or patrolling the grounds of an office or factory complex or office park, and plays agreater role when visibility is key. The soft look istypically an indoor look used in white-collar,business environments.

Does one look command greater authority? Isone respected more than the other? There hasbeen much debate over the merits of the twolooks. Several inner city hospitals have switchedfrom the hard look to the soft one, after the formerwas cited as a source of tension between the

community and facilities. Others, however, are fervent supporters of the hard look in such situations and settings, believing that theauthoritative police-style uniforms are better deterrents against crime and offer staff andpatients better protection.

Still others believe the point moot. According to Paul Fussell, a former professor at theUniversity of Pennsylvania, and author of “Uniforms: Why We Are What We Wear,” anyuniform will command respect. “It communicates that those who wear it hold permanentand prominent jobs,” he says in his book. “Respect is higher for police officers or firefight-ers, but it is nonetheless present to some degree in the uniforms all workers wear.”

Fabrics and Garment Care: What you should Know

Equally important to the overall look is the construction and fabrication from which thegarments in a uniform program are made. Properly attired guards in well-fitted, comfortableclothing will feel better about themselves and perform better on the job.

As most consumers can attest, today’s clothing options are numerous and vastly differentfrom past generations. People can now buy pants that stretch and shirts designed to resist stains.And while cotton is still popular, advances in technology have made other fabrics desirable.Gone are the days when polyester was frowned upon, for today’s version of the syntheticfabric is both comfortable and fashionable, a far cry from your “father’s polyester.”

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These benefits and styling options extend to the uniform industry as well. Your uniformprovider should offer a range of products across the fabric spectrum – from 100 percentcotton to 100 percent synthetic polyester, to blended fabrics to so-called performancefabrics that stretch and wick away moisture. They can also offer advice on the uniquecare characteristics of these products.

Certain types of garments can only be dry-cleaned; others have restrictions on industriallaundry, while some are easy-care fabrics that can be washed at home. If your uniformmaintenance plan includes an industrial laundry program, the product must be tested to ensure that it holds up well under these cleaning conditions. Because dry cleaningcosts are high, these types of garments are only recommended where the nature of thebudget is such that these maintenance costs can be factored in. Make sure you discussyour planned maintenance program with your uniform company so that they can makethe best recommendations.

The Next Generation: Smart Fabrics and Wearable Technology

Though not a mainstay of security uniforms just yet, the next generation of performancefabrics is making inroads in other industries. Known as smart fabrics, they have been de-veloped with new technologies that provide added value to the wearer and are revolutionizing the way we think and wear clothing.

As of now, smart textiles fall into two broader categories: aesthetic and performance enhancing. Textiles that can brighten on their own or change color are called aestheticfabrics. They mostly get their energy from environmental factors like ambiances, temperature, light, sound etc.

The performance enhancing smart fabrics are those manufactured for specific specializedprofessions like the military, athletics and sports. These fabrics can adjust to your bodytemperature and muscle movements besides decreasing wind resistance.

In the future, clothes will voluntarily perform a range of tasks. These innovative fabricswill be able to converse, convert, transmit energy and even develop and grow on their own.

It's too early to tell the impact such technology will have on the manufacture of securityuniforms. Check with your uniform provider for the most accurate and current assessment.

Inventory—Size Does Matter

The workforce in the United States is getting larger… literally.

Any good uniform company and contract security firm will also recognize that contractsecurity officers come in all shapes and sizes. Proper sizing will not only ensure a well-dressed officer, but a comfortable employee as well. We recommend keeping a smallamount of inventory on hand at each site to accommodate employees. Your uniformprovider should offer sizing options that cover the spectrum – from a petite, sized 4woman as easily as a sized 66 male. It is best to keep pants on the shelf for immediatedelivery along with shirts up to maximum that your officer profile will allow. Ask if yourprovider is ready with a line of Big and Tall shirts for the “out of average” security officeror if they can alter garments to accommodate. Can your uniform company easily handlethe need for maternity uniforms? If so, they are a good provider.

No talk of a uniform program would be complete withoutthe subject of inventory. There is a distinct distributioncurve at work, and your uniform company should maintain a perpetual inventory from the smallest item on the sizescale to the largest.

Even if you don’t need a size 8X now, find a provider who believes it’s important to stockthat for you. You need to start out with a higher than anticipated inventory of stock for all components of a custom program in the first 12 months in case there is a significantincrease in the number or size of employees. This extra inventory builds in time beforethe reorder cycle starts again. The start up costs and the amount of inventory that areneeded to manage the program is dependent on whether or not the uniform is USA

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domestically made, made somewhere in North America, made somewhere in the Westernhemisphere, or finally, made somewhere in the Far East,

From a uniform company’s perspective, it is reasonable to ask a guard company for amulti-year commitment in order to stock a fully custom uniform program.

Inventory—Keeping it Straight

If your uniform room looks like the average guard company's, it’s a mess. Too many peo-ple have unfettered access to the uniform room; new clothes and equipment strewneverywhere, often intermingled with the old. Creating a proper storage space takestime, but is well worth the effort. Install shelving and a rack system with rings that separates size for easy accessibility. Get management on board. As the companygrows, so too, should the size and investment in the uniform room. Keeping an accurateand well-maintained inventory can mean the difference between outfitting a new securityofficer in the appropriate size clothes in a few minutes or not. The quicker you can fill theclient’s emergency job posting the more valuable your work in the uniform room will be.

Finally, if you are still using an excel spreadsheet to manage the inflow and outflow ofuniforms, consider making a small investment in an online inventory control program likeQuickbooks or something similar. Your uniform supplier will be happy to help; it is in theirbest interest that you order smartly and manage your overall uniform program with au-thority. And management at your guard company will appreciate your ability to provide ac-curate inventory reports.

Far from altruistic, your ability to better manage your inventory will result in an improved bottom line, and this inturn, will impact the bottom line of your uniform company.Talk with them about an inventory control program. It's awin-win for everyone.

Online Uniform Program Management

Use of an e-commerce program is essential in today’s fast-paced world for delivering anerror-free order to your uniform company. If they’re involved with e-commerce, they’ll beable to design a private online store for you that captures the specific products requiredfor purchase by your company. The functionality will also handle all of your uniquecolor and position customization instructions including silkscreen, heat seal, embroidery and emblems. In addition, a properly executed e-commerce website will provide you with the ability to maintain supervisory control of your ordering budget, youremployee purchasers and allowed shipping locations.

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In some cases you may even want to develop an allowance or quota-based program online, keeping track of the dollars every security officer is allowed for their uniform pro-gram for a specific client or job site. Your management team may choose to set an an-nual dollar limit, for example, for these purchases per employee. What if the employeeneeds more uniforms than anticipated? The website should allow you the flexibility tooverride limits with authorization by designated online users you set up.

Almost any unique set of management controls can be incorporated into today’s e-com-merce programs. Rather than burden your human resources and accounting staff withmanaging orders and receipts, let a website automate your budget considerations for amore efficient and modern business operation.

At Your Service

Service is an integral part of the overall customer experience. Service adds value to auniform program and builds enduring relationships; great customer service means that a uniform provider helps the customer in every way, in effect, making the impossible pos-sible.

Recently, Unitex Direct received a call from an NFL event services manager whose laundryservice had just ruined 300 shirts. It was a late Friday afternoon, and he needed newshirts before Thursday's night game. Because NFL rules preclude deliveries on gameday, the shirts would have to arrive Wednesday, leaving us only 3 days to produce and

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deliver the uniforms.

These weren't off-the-rack shirts. They had to be customized: the logo had to be printed onboth sides; and each shirt individually numbered on the left chest, visible to stadiumfans. Thanks to a dedicated staff and good relationships with our suppliers, we were ableto deliver this game-day look on time: we received the shirts on Monday, customized themin-house Tuesday, and shipped for a Wednesday evening delivery.

Always discuss with your uniform provider your expectations and their service capabili-ties before entering into any agreement.

Communication is the Key

Ultimately, the key to the creation and management of a uniform program comes downto one element – communication. Communication between the uniform company and theguard company. Communication between the guard company and the employees thatwear the uniforms.

Full, constant and vigilant attention is required to maintain a business relationship in thisday and age. To ensure a smooth-flowing process, a uniform provider needs to listen totheir customer, offer flexibility and be on hand at a moment’s notice when and if problemsarise.

It may appear to take considerable work to evaluate a uniform company, select appropriateproducts and maintain the inventory for a custom uniform program. But for a securitycompany to present guards to their customers that look clean, sharp, and professional,the rewards far outweigh the effort.

Before contacting a uniform company, you should:

1. Determine and discuss a realistic budget.

2. Consider the size of the workforce and ratio of male to female employees. While managing inventory for both male and female employees has its challenges, it’s worththe effort—uniforms designed specifically for women enhance their professionalism and translate into better performance.

3. Consider the amount of pieces in a uniform set for new full-time and part-time officers.

4. Consider the size profile for the security officer you are most likely to hire. This helpsin planning your custom uniform production requirements.

5. Analyze why you are changing suppliers. If the relationship was satisfactory, the desire for change is usually not about money but about some failing in service or com-

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Quality Uniform & Equipment SolutionsGuaranteed!800.682.1606

www.unitexdirect.com

Dan Mendelson is president of Unitex Direct, a full serviceuniform provider/partner located in Walled Lake, Michigan.Since 1992, Unitex Direct has provided uniforms, accessories, equipment and promotional products to security, public safety, event services, aviation and hospitality companies. Unitex Direct offers completein-house customization services to complete your uniformlook. It offers volume manufacturing programs to suitevery size customer and has the purchasing power withleading industry brands guaranteeing exceptional value.

To learn more, visit www.unitexdirect.com, call 800-682-1606 x236or email Dan at dan@unitexdirect.com

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